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A. Simple Tenses
Simple tenses are generally used to refer to a whole event or state-in the present,
future, or past-rather than a specific moment or event that is ongoing.
*In clauses that refer to the future and begin with when, before, after, until, or as soon
as, use the present-not the simple future tense-in the dependent clause.
When she arrives, we will begin the meeting.
B. Progressive Tenses
The action is in progress at a specified time in the present, past, or future. Always use
the -ing form of the main verb with progressive tenses, together with an auxiliary or
auxiliaries (such as was or will be).
Tense Explanation Example
*Do not use progressive forms with verbs expressing mental activities (such as
believe, know, understand, like, hate, taste, smell, need, and prefer), or states (such as
own, include, and seem). Use the simple forms instead.
C. Perfect Tense
Perfect tense indicate that an action has been completed (or perfected) before a known
or specified time or event. Form perfect tenses with the appropriate form of the have
auxiliary, followed by the past participle form of the main verb.
Past perfect progressive Action lasts a stated length He had been writing for
of time and ends at a two hours when his
specific time or event in computer crashed.
the past.
Future perfect progressive Length of action and the By July 4, they will have
future time making the end been writing the report for
of the action are both five weeks.
stated.
E. Time Clusters and Tense Switches
When you are writing, it is important not to switch time and tenses unless there is
good reason for doing so. Usually, the verb tenses a writer uses in a passage will fit
into one of two time clusters: past or present (the future tenses are rarely used
throughout a passage of writing, but appear along with present cluster verbs when the
context demands). Any time switches should be clear to readers.
1. Learn to differentiate present cluster from past cluster verb tenses and forms. The
accompanying chart summarizes the four tenses-time relationships and divides them
into cluster of verb forms that can occur in a piece of writing with no switch in time
reference.
2. Sometimes the tense shift itself is sufficient to help a reader understand that the
time reference has changed, especially when a generalization interrupts a past
narrative.
past event: past tense generalization: present tense
The roller-coaster ride began. Goosebumps are often a signal of fear,
past event: past tense
and I realized I was covered in them.
3. Usually, it is necessary for the writer to use a time signal to alert reader to a time
switch.
present tense past tense past time signal
She is happy because she won a major chess tournament last month.